Chapter 428: Trials and Shadow Guards
"Qingtan…" Lin Langtian murmured, eyes fixed on the slender figure beside the throne.
Qingtan stood dressed in a dark gown with intricate, golden patterns at the hem, radiating a dignified and regal air. Her face, calm and beautiful, framed by dark, crescent-like brows and porcelain skin, carried a matured grace, much changed since their younger years. After the events of the Demon City, it seemed as if she'd grown up overnight.
Beside her, on the grand throne, sat Bo Xuan, overlooking the masses assembled at the Dark Square. His gaze swept across the bowing crowd, few daring to meet the eyes of the Dark Hall's master and the undisputed ruler of the Northern Xuan Region—a man whose very command held power over countless lives.
With a small nod, Bo Xuan raised his hand, his voice deep and authoritative. "Let the festival… begin!"
As his voice echoed, a resounding cry filled the air, transmitted far and wide through intense waves of power. Streams of dark light shot skyward, signaling the commencement of the grand event.
Soon, leaders from various powers across the Northern Xuan Region approached the square, their voices filled with respect and admiration as they presented their greetings.
"The Lord of Beiwang Sect brings his men to celebrate and pay homage to the Hall Master, whose authority subdues the region!"
"The Master of Snowy Mountain wishes the Hall Master eternal might and unmatched strength!"
"The Head of Wuji Gate swears eternal allegiance to the Dark Hall, our loyalty unbreakable!"
Such greetings continued for a long time. The Dark Hall festival was one of the greatest events in the Northern Xuan Region, drawing leaders from nearly eighty percent of the region's factions to attend in person, making it a grand display of strength and unity.
Witnessing the spectacle, Lin Langtian was astounded. The Dark Hall's grip on the region was unmatched; even the combined might of the top eight sects in the Eastern Xuan Region would pale in comparison.
As the respectful salutations filled the air, Bo Xuan's gaze remained calm, accustomed to such displays of reverence. By his side, Qingtan stood straight and solemn, though it was her first time witnessing such an event of this scale. She seemed a bit overwhelmed, her lips slightly pursed and her hands clenched, hinting at her nervousness.
Noticing her discomfort, Bo Xuan remarked dryly, "You say you want to join the Dark Tribunal, but if you can't handle this much, perhaps you're better off forgetting about it. Avenging your brother and destroying the Yuan Gate will be nothing but a distant dream."
The words stiffened Qingtan's expression. Her eyes turned cold. "I will do it."
With a slight smile, Bo Xuan replied, "In that case, once the ritual is over, I'll formally announce your entry into the Dark Tribunal."
Qingtan nodded, a touch of warmth showing in her otherwise steely gaze. "Thank you, Master."
She knew that Bo Xuan's intentions for her were clear—by entering the Dark Tribunal as his personal disciple, she would be acknowledged as a potential successor of the Dark Hall. If she could rise to the position of Grand Adjudicator, it would cement her status as heir to the Dark Hall, preparing her to someday assume the title of ruler of the Northern Xuan Region.
Pleased with her determination, Bo Xuan smiled. "Thank me for nothing. You're the most exceptional disciple I've ever had, and having you as my pupil is my greatest pride. So, relax, because one day, that throne is yours to claim."
Nodding, Qingtan's anxiety eased, and an ambitious light flashed in her eyes—she would conquer the Dark Tribunal, inherit the Dark Hall, and lay waste to the Yuan Gate. Feeling reinvigorated, she exhaled deeply, loosening her clenched hands.
Casually scanning the crowd below, her gaze swept across the assembly of loyalists… until her eyes paused at the far end of the square. There, her eyes widened slightly in disbelief before a spark of brightness lit up her face as she whispered, "Langtian…"
The endless stream of salutations continued, reverberating throughout the vast square. This year's festival, however, seemed different, a sentiment shared by many of the faction leaders in attendance. Their gazes darted toward the rows of black-clad figures surrounding the altar. Each wore a grim mask bearing a twisted ghost face, a black sword etched into the forehead, exuding an aura of death.
This ominous force was known throughout the Northern Xuan Region as the Dark Tribunal. Fearing no enemy, they ruthlessly crushed any who dared defy the Dark Hall, leaving behind a trail of bloody tales. In the region, even the mention of the Dark Tribunal could silence crying children.
It was no secret among those in power that this festival might hold a major announcement about the Dark Tribunal's future. The rumors alone were enough to keep the tension palpable as the loud greetings finally began to subside. Silence returned to the square as eyes once again focused on Bo Xuan, a silent monarch in his throne.
On either side of the throne stood two elderly figures in black robes, who, seeing the quieting crowd, turned toward Bo Xuan, awaiting his signal.
Raising a hand, Bo Xuan intoned, "Welcome the Ancestral Stele!"
Bo Xuan slowly rose from the throne, stepped forward, and clenched his ancient hand into a fist, lightly stomping on the ground.
Hum!
An intense hum echoed across the square as countless black stone pillars emitted beams of black light, merging in the air to form a colossal dark stele. This stele bore the names of each Dark Hall Master throughout history. As it appeared, countless figures knelt down across the square, including the council elders who respectfully bowed.
Atop the altar, Bo Xuan also bowed slightly to the ancestral stele. The stele began to tremble, a dark bridge of light extending from it and connecting to the altar.
"Bow in reverence as the Hall Master honors the ancestors!"
Beside the throne, two elders in black robes shouted in unison, eyes filled with fanatical reverence. The voices resounded across the square as countless Dark Hall members shouted in chorus, "Bow in reverence as the Hall Master honors the ancestors!"
However, to everyone's surprise, Bo Xuan did not ascend alone. Instead, he turned to Qingtan with a warm smile and said, "Come with me."
Understanding what this invitation meant, Qingtan took a deep breath and took Bo Xuan's hand as they stepped up the dark light bridge together, reaching the altar. Under the eyes of countless powerful figures, Qingtan's heart pounded with nervousness. But Bo Xuan gave her a reassuring smile, and then his solemn voice resounded over the crowd:
"Before the ancestral stele, I, the Hall Master, formally announce that from this day forth, my personal disciple Lin Qingtan shall officially enter the Dark Tribunal, and this trial will serve as her initiation as the Hall Master's successor!"
An immediate ripple of shock swept across the Dark Square.
"The Hall Master's personal disciple is joining the Dark Tribunal? Who is this Lin Qingtan?"
"I don't know—she seems to be a disciple taken in just in the last two years."
"The successor's trial? Does that mean she has the potential to be the next Hall Master? I'll have to get in her good graces!"
"Hold on. Let's not get ahead of ourselves—the Dark Tribunal isn't a game. I heard that in the third generation of the Dark Hall, all three of the Hall Master's disciples attempted this trial, but not one of them survived."
As whispers filled the square, the significance of the announcement settled in. If the Hall Master was akin to an emperor of the Northern Xuan Region, then the Hall Master's successor was unquestionably the crown prince or princess.
Many leaders gazed with new respect toward the young girl in a dark dress standing beside Bo Xuan. Whether Qingtan could pass the trial or not, her role as a possible future ruler of the Northern Xuan Region granted her instant reverence.
Meanwhile, the Dark Hall's elder council exchanged glances. An elder named Luo stepped forward, bowing to Bo Xuan.
"Hall Master, I have something to report," he said respectfully.
Bo Xuan frowned. "Oh, Elder Luo, is there something so pressing that it can't wait? Surely you aren't trying to prevent Qingtan from joining the Dark Tribunal?"
The Dark Hall, like most sects, was divided into factions. One faction followed the Hall Master's line, while the other belonged to the council of elders. Although Bo Xuan's faction controlled the Tribunal, the elders' council was powerful in its own right, with hidden experts, some even of the Reincarnation Stage. The balance of power was tenuous, and Bo Xuan knew the elders well. If they objected to Qingtan's entry into the Tribunal, he'd be firm in rejecting their interference, as she was his ideal successor.
Elder Luo gave a slight smile, unfazed by Bo Xuan's pointed question. "The Hall Master misunderstands. We fully support Qingtan's entry into the Dark Tribunal and her potential as the next Hall Master."
"Then, what is it you want to say?" Bo Xuan asked, his old eyes narrowing slightly.
Luo's eyes sparkled with cunning. "Hall Master, as you know, our laws require that if an heir enters the Tribunal, they must be assigned a Shadow Guard."
"A Shadow Guard?"
Bo Xuan's brow furrowed as Qingtan's expression showed faint puzzlement.
Noticing her confusion, Bo Xuan explained in a low voice, "The Dark Tribunal is extremely dangerous, and many past successor trials have ended in significant losses. After the third Hall Master lost all three of his disciples, he mandated that each successor undertaking the trial be assigned a Shadow Guard."
"A Shadow Guard is typically around the same age as the successor, with similar strength. Their purpose is to protect the heir at all costs, even if it means sacrificing themselves. This tradition has endured to this day. The fourth Hall Master completed the Dark Tribunal trial alongside his Shadow Guard, who later became the 'God of Death,' a legendary blade in his service."
Qingtan gave a slight nod, understanding. The Shadow Guard's role was that of a companion and protector, sworn to shield the heir. But Elder Luo's suggestion hinted at ulterior motives.
Sure enough, Elder Luo quickly gestured, and a tall, dark-robed young man stepped forward, his strikingly handsome features set with determination. His eyes locked on Qingtan, and he spoke earnestly, "Qingtan, I am willing to be your Shadow Guard. I swear to protect you with my life."
Seeing the young man, Qingtan's expression darkened.
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